TakeoutThe Fish Counter

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The Fish Counter is what happens when you team up an award winning chef renowned for seafood sustainability, and a marine biologist that help spearhead the Ocean Wise program. Main Street’s latest seafood pantry and neighbourhood takeout offers a variety of fresh seafood, take home to cook items, and a selection of casual takeout menu items. Fish and chips anyone?

The Fish Counter features a variety of ready-to-eat and packaged seafood products.

The Fish Counter features a variety of ready-to-eat and packaged seafood products.

Inside, the thoughtfully designed, rustic interior showcases reclaimed raw material including some originating from the old Woodward’s building and an old farm. Ornate benches locally constructed and intricately carved with sea creatures flank the pickup counter. On one side: local catch, seafood stock and a variety of ready-to-eat items. On the other: the kitchen busily puts up orders of fish, chips and sandwiches.

Ornate benches constructed and carved by artist Jesse Toso.

Ornate benches constructed and carved by artist Jesse Toso.

As you would expect from a chip shop, a varying combination of fish are available in a matrix of type and quantity: from the standard cod to Salmon, Halibut, and if you prefer the shelled sort — Oysters.

Pacific Cod with Chips ($10): served with a side of kale and cole slaw, tartar sauce and Kennebec potato fries.

Pacific Cod with Chips ($10): served with a side of kale and cole slaw, tartar sauce and Kennebec potato fries.

Case and I selected the Pacific Cod and chips, prepared as simply as can be: fresh, break-a-part chunks of cod sheathed in thin, crispy batter accompanied by a generous helping of beautifully crispy and sweet Kennebec potato fries. All the fish and chips are served with fresh kale and cole slaw, and a side of tartar sauce.

Oyster Po’boy ($8.10): Sawmill Bay Oysters, arugula, spicy cabbage, chive and dill sauce.

Oyster Po’boy ($8.10): Sawmill Bay Oysters, arugula, spicy cabbage, chive and dill sauce.

But it’s not just about fish and chips at the Fish Counter, there’s crispy cod tacos, daily soups and the Oyster Po’boy. Their Po’boy is served up on a soft hoagie piled with crispy deep fried oysters, arugula, house made kimchi, and slathered with a creamy chive and dill sauce. Ready those wet naps.

An order of fish and chips and po’boy came to $23 including tax and tip. The people are friendly, and the food simple and fresh, but there’s very little room for actual dining, just a couple stand up tables and some benches in and outside, which is quite nice during a gentle summer evening. Otherwise the takeout would serve great for picnics or if you’re ever in a pinch for dinner ideas.

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